246 ELEMENTS OF HISTOLOGY. [Chap.xxxi. 



the cells are polyhedral, and exactly similar to epithe- 

 lial cells. They are separated from one another within 

 the group by a thin interstitial cement-substance. 

 Their resemblance with epithelium is complete. They 

 are remnants of the epithelial masses of the Wolffian 

 body of the foetus. 



323. The seminal tubules (Fig. 137). - 

 Within each compartment, above mentioned, lie 



Fig. 137. From a Section through the Testis of Dog. 



Showing three seminal tubules in cross section. In two of these the lining 

 epithelium seminal cells is shown, and bundles of spermatozoa projecting 

 into the lumen of the tubules. Between the tubules is connective tissue 

 containing groups of polyhedral epithelial-like cells. 



numerous seminal tubules, twisted and convoluted 

 in many ways, and extending from the periphery to 

 near the corpus Highmori. The tubules, as a rule, 

 are rarely branched ; *but in the young state, and 

 especially towards the periphery, branching is not un- 

 common. 



Each seminal tubule consists of a membrana pro- 

 pria, a lining epithelium, and a lumen. The mem- 

 brana propria is a hyaline membrane, with oval nuclei 

 at regular intervals. In man it is thick and lamel- 

 lated, several such nucleated membranes being super- 



